Custom sleeve boxes with a reveal built in.
A tray that slides out of a printed sleeve — or a simple belly band around a box. A clean, giftable format for soap, chocolate, candles, apparel and limited editions.
- Tray + sleeve or belly band
- Change the sleeve, keep the tray
- Paperboard or rigid trays
- Minimum
- 50 units
- Tray + sleeve
- 2 parts
- Sleeve swaps
- Seasonal
- Tray
- 18pt SBS, white
- Sleeve
- 16pt, green PMS
- Finish
- Matte aqueous
- Detail
- Thumb notch
Three ways to use a sleeve.
Tray and sleeve (slide box). A tray holds the product and a four-sided sleeve slides over it. Pushing the tray out creates a small, satisfying reveal. Popular for soap, chocolate, candles and electronics accessories.
Belly band. A printed band wraps around a box, a tray or the product itself, covering only part of it. It’s the most economical way to brand plain or stock packaging, and the easiest to change for seasons, flavours or limited editions.
Sleeve over a rigid box. A printed paper or board sleeve over a plain rigid or two-piece box lets you use one premium box across many products.
If you want the tray to slide out like a matchbox, see drawer boxes — they use the same principle with a fully enclosed sleeve.
Sleeve box specifications.
| Tray | 18–24pt SBS or kraft; rigid grayboard for premium |
|---|---|
| Sleeve | 14–18pt paperboard, printed; or paper band for belly bands |
| Fit | Sleeve made 1–1.5 mm larger than the tray on each side for an easy slide |
| Details | Thumb notch or ribbon pull, window cut-outs, foil logo |
| Common products | Soap, chocolate bars, candles, tea, socks, cosmetics sets |
Getting the slide right.
A sleeve box that’s too tight frustrates customers; one that’s too loose lets the tray fall out. We size the sleeve slightly larger than the tray — typically 1–1.5 mm on each side — then confirm the fit on a sample when the product is heavy or the board is thick.
A thumb notch cut into the sleeve edge (or a small ribbon tab on the tray) makes the tray easy to push out. For gifting, add a printed message on the tray floor that’s revealed as it slides out.
Ways to use a sleeve.
- Seasonal re-skin: keep a plain stock tray and change only the printed sleeve for each season.
- Belly band: a narrow band around a bar of soap or a stack of items.
- Over a rigid box: a printed sleeve over a plain rigid tray creates a premium drawer-style reveal.
- Multi-pack: a sleeve groups two or three products for a bundle.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a sleeve box and a drawer box?
They work the same way — a tray slides out of a sleeve. “Drawer box” usually means a sturdier, often rigid version with a pull tab; “sleeve box” is often lighter paperboard, and can also mean a belly band around a box.
Can I change only the sleeve for different products?
Yes. Using one tray size with different printed sleeves is a cost-effective way to package a range or seasonal editions.
Are sleeve boxes good for soap?
Yes. Sleeves and slide boxes are one of the most popular soap formats; ends can be left open or die-cut so customers can see and smell the soap.
How tight should the sleeve be?
Slightly larger than the tray — around 1–1.5 mm per side — so it slides easily but does not fall off.
Can the sleeve have a window?
Yes, a die-cut window in the sleeve shows the product or the printed tray beneath.
Can a sleeve hold the product on its own?
Open-ended sleeves need a tray or a snug product; for loose items use a full box.
A simple format with a great reveal.
Send your product size. We’ll size the tray and sleeve and send a 3D proof.